If the Heat keeps Butler past Feb. 6 and he opts out, Miami could either use a $14 million midlevel exception and a $5.1 million bi-annual exception or use about $13 million in cap space (which swells to $23 million if Robinson is released early this summer).

The clash pits perhaps the NBA's most disgruntled superstar against a franchise that won't bend to his will. And everyone in the NBA is watching.

The Heat have already allowed Butler more leeway than most other stars who've come through those doors. Being on time for flights is not that hard of an ask. But this is getting so ridiculous, guys. If it's not one thing,